VIDEO: Change the Game! Sports Interactive FINALLY release first-look at Football Manager 2026 after cancelling 2025's game

Sports Interactive has lifted the curtain on the next entry in its iconic series with Football Manager 2026 promising to push the franchise into new territory, offering fans a fresh and immersive managerial experience that builds on more than two decades of simulation expertise. One of the headline features of FM26 is the long-anticipated move to the Unity engine. This overhaul is expected to deliver smoother 3D animations, lifelike ball physics, and more natural player movements.

  • FM26 teaser shows Unity engine upgrade
  • Women’s football and licensed
  • Release expected late 2025, likely November

VIDEO: Change the Game! Sports Interactive FINALLY release first-look at Football Manager 2026 after cancelling 2025's gameVIDEO: Change the Game! Sports Interactive FINALLY release first-look at Football Manager 2026 after cancelling 2025's game

FM26 promises a modernised interface with a responsive tile-and-card layout, designed to make navigation smoother across PC, console, and mobile platforms. The new match engine and AI have been upgraded, offering smarter tactical behaviour and deeper decision-making mechanicsfor managers who crave realism.

FM26 will finally feature the official Premier League license, a move that adds real , badges, logos, and player likenesses for the first time in years. This means fans can expect their favourite clubs to feel closer to reality than ever before. The series will incorporate women’s football, including leagues, clubs, and competitions in the FM database.

While an exact date has yet to be confirmed, developers have indicated that Football Manager 2026 will arrive in late 2025. Industry insiders expect a release window in early to mid-November, following the franchise’s traditional schedule.